New village could see thousands of new homes built

Plans for a new village on Bourn Airfield have been submitted to South Cambridgeshire District Council – and the proposals are now open for public comment.

The outline planning application from developer Countryside proposes the creation of a new community of up to 3,500 homes on the former Second World War airfield.

The old airfield, including runways, sits between Cambourne and Caldecote, and covers more than 500 acres.

The site is a mixture of previously developed land and agricultural fields. It is currently used for farming, recreational flying, storage and research, development and industrial production.

A six-week consultation into Countryside’s plans has now begun, and runs until November 1.

A new village at Bourn is part of the emerging South Cambridgeshire Local Plan, which was approved by government inspectors at the start of September. The site at Bourn is seen by the district council as an area where new homes and jobs can be created to support the district’s growth.

The proposals from Countryside include:

A new village of 3,500 homes

A village centre made up of shops, restaurants, services and leisure opportunities

Two primary schools, a secondary school and nursery provision

New health facilities

A hotel

Open space

Sports and leisure facilities

Cycle and pedestrian links to Cambridge, Cambourne and surrounding villages

Councillor Aidan Van de Weyer, deputy leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “These proposals have been discussed for some time, but we are now at the stage where we have an official planning application so it’s important that as many people as possible have their say. I’m well aware there are lots of factors to understand, not least the implications for roads, public transport and rural character of the area, before any decision is made.

“This site is earmarked for development in our local plan, which government inspectors recently found sound, but any development must be well-planned, carefully considered and provide a wide-range of new housing options.

“I am truly encouraging all local people who have a view on the planning merits of these plans to register them during the public consultation. All relevant views can then be taken into account by the council when a decision on the planning application is made.”

To comment on the plans, visit http://plan.scambs.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/wphappcriteria.display and use the reference number S/3440/18/OL.